The former coach however, will still be involved at Powder House Lane, despite an increasing work load as a RFU Regional Rugby Development Officer, working alongside Anthony Ireland in honing the forwards' skills.

Graham, a student at St Martins College, made four appearances for the Vale's first team in the 1999/00 season, making his debut at Fylde in January 2000.

"Inch High" as was affectionately known at the Vale, proved to be a popular, competitive and industrious three-quarter.

He subsequently moved to Kendal and Preston Grasshoppers, representing both clubs at first team level.

When he retired he developed his coaching skills and became coach of a highly talented and successful Hoppers second team, later becoming the first team backs coach from 2006 to 2008.

Graham has become a highly respected coach in Northern rugby circles and is employed as a sports course leader at Newton Rigg, the Penrith Campus of the University of Cumbria.

The new coach will have an experienced team around him.

Stott will again be responsible for fitness training and conditioning, and certainly the Vale's high fitness levels at the beginning of last season enabled them to play at pace for the full 80 minutes against opponents who were distinctly blowing at the end.

Andy Higgin and Steve Swarbrick continue as co-directors of rugby, while Tony Gilmore and Phil Davies are paired together once more in their vital roles as managers and coaches of the A team.

Training begins at Powder House Lane on Thursday, July 2 at 7pm, with sessions being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A number of Saturdays in July and August have been pencilled in for fitness training, and a warm-up game has been arranged against Penrith at home on Saturday, August 22, with other dates being set aside, August 15 and 27, but the opposition is yet to be confirmed.

The North Two West season begins on Saturday, September 5 with a testing trip to Aspatria.

Last season the Vale reached the final of the Lancashire Trophy, losing to Rochdale.
This season's trophy campaign begins with an away game at Leigh; the first round tie is scheduled to be played on or before August 29.

Vale Vikings and the B team will meet each other for the first time in the Miller Homes Division Three North on Sunday, October 4, with the B team being the home side; the return game will be played on January 17.

These types of fixtures, between two sides within the same club, have proved to be extremely popular in the Miller Homes league, with crowds well into three figures being the norm.

Martin Powell, Vale's enthusiastic community rugby coach, has organised a series of Tag Rugby Tens events at Powder House Lane to be held in the evenings, from 5.30 through to 7pm, on July 22 and 29, and August 12 and 19.

Players must be over 16, the entry fee for a team will be £10 and for individuals £1. For further details and registration forms, contact Martin at MartinPowell@therfu.com

All members are urged to attend Vale of Lune's annual meeting will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday July 9 at 7.30pm.

Immediately following the annual meeting, an extraordinary meeting will take place to discuss the way the club will be run in the future.

Details of the agenda items can be found on the Vale's website at www.valeoflune.co.uk or on the notice board in the clubhouse.